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I will once again be exhibiting my Mokume Gane pieces at the Goldsmiths’ Fair this September and October.

You can visit me on Stand 78 during week two, from 29 September to 4 October.

If you visit the Goldsmiths’ Fair website, you will find the following description of my work:

“Colour and contrast combined with an understanding of function form and pattern are central to Alistair’s work. This is expressed through his use of the Japanese metalworking technique of Mokume Gane (wood grain metal) a technique that he has developed and practiced for over 35 years gaining an international reputation as a leading practitioner.

More information

Opening Hours:

11AM to 6.30PM
Thursdays open late until 8.30PM
Last entry 30 minutes before closing
Restaurant and Wine Bar

The Summer Contemporary Silver, Enamel and Jewellery Exhibition returns to Lindfield, West Sussex, for the seventh time this June. Open June 25th to July 12th from 9.30am to 5.00pm every day, the exhibition offers you the chance to view the very best pieces in Contemporary Silver, Silver and Enamel.

Alistair McCallum will be exhibiting items that include the one you can see here; the Mokume Gane Beaker with a Silver Rim.

This is a great opportunity to see in one place, a really fine array of over 150 pieces of Contemporary Silver and Silver and Enamel, and over 300 pieces of hand-crafted Contemporary jewellery from many of our best Silversmiths and Jewellery Designer/Makers.

COLLECT is a chance to buy world-class, museum-quality contemporary craft from 35 international galleries each representing established and emerging artists.

Alongside these eminent galleries the top floor at the Saatchi Gallery will feature COLLECT Open, a space created for artists to explore new ideas, and a preview of the latest Crafts Council Touring Exhibition I AM HERE. Over the course of the fair there will also be a programme of talks from curators, gallerists and many of the exhibiting artists.

The winner of Best New Design Award for Week One was silversmith and established Fair exhibitor, Alistair McCallum. Alistair was presented the award by Crafts Council trustee and Creative Director of Legle Porcelain, Peter Ting (featured). We spoke with Alistair and Peter to learn more about the award-winning work and why it was so deserving of the accolade.

“The Best New Design Award came as a bit of a surprise at the age of 61! It’s great that the award gives the opportunity to everyone exhibiting at the Fair, old and new. For 38 years, I have used the Japanese metalworking technique of Mokume Gane (wood grain metal). Throughout this time, I have continually tried to experiment and develop this technique. The award was allocated for two of these; a pair of Mokume Gane beakers and secondly for a pair of silver beakers with a Mokume Gane rim. Ideas for my designs often arise during the making process; I like to record these thoughts which in turn can collectively suggest and inform the development and design of future pieces.

“With the first pair of beakers, the idea was to use the Mokume Gane as a detail rather than covering the whole surface. The silver beakers had been spun and the Mokume Gane rim was made from a sandwich of 12 layers of silver, copper and gilding metal. The layers were then made into a square bar which was then twisted into a spiral before being forged back into a square bar. Next, I drilled 2 small holes close to each end of the bar before carefully piercing along the length of the bar between them. I opened up the bar to form a circle without a seam, then filed and finished it before I soldered it onto the silver beaker. Though complex and time consuming to make, the finished piece is simple and understated. It’s also interesting to note that the pattern on the inside of the rim is different from that on the outside.

“The second pair of beakers were more complex both to make. The beakers are made from two separate sheets, one of 5 layers of silver and copper and one of 5 layers of silver and gilding metal. These are then formed into the beaker shapes before being cut horizontally into 4 sections, which are then rearranged and re-soldered so that there are bands of alternating silver with copper, and silver with gilding metal. The pattern is then created by carefully filing a series of flat facets across the surface, breaking through the layers and revealing the different colours. Next, the silver rim and base are added before the beakers are finally cleaned, finished and painted, creating alternating bands of black with white and brown with white. Visually, you do not see the faceted surface. Only when they are handled does this become apparent, giving an interesting tactile quality.”

Peter Ting on Alistair:

“Alistair is the undisputed master of creating Mokume Gane pieces. The combination of simple lines with complex making skills is exquisite. His techniques in using this ancient style are ingenious. Alistair’s latest pieces at Goldsmiths’ Fair were all very simple and elegant. Like a Matisse line drawing, the skill and passion comes from the head, heart and hands.”

If you’d like to pay me a visit at the Goldsmiths’ Fair 2015, or view specific Mokume Gane pieces, you will find me on Stand 78 during Part Two (29 September – 4 October 2015) please email me on mccallumalistair@aol.com or use the contact form.

After months of hard work spent in my workshop in Southeast London, I was pleased that yesterday, the UK’s most prestigious jewellery and silversmithing exhibition in the UK finally opened its doors; the Goldsmiths’ Fair.

The response to my work on the first day was overwhelming.

To quote the Goldsmiths’ Fair website:

“We’ve had an overwhelming response from all of our visitors and exhibitors about our fresh, contemporary new look, resulting in a very busy and exciting first day. Queues began forming outside the door from 10.30am whilst our first Breakfast Talk with Lesley Craze MBE was taking place in the Court Room.”

I will be exhibiting for the rest of this week (22 to 28 September) so please come and visit Stand 42 any time between 11am and 6.30pm.

Alistair will be exhibiting at Goldsmiths’ Fair during week one, from 22nd to 28th September 2014.

Goldsmiths’ Fair is recognised internationally as the UK’s premier event for contemporary designer jewellery and silverware. It’s a celebration of the best of British goldsmithing and silversmithing talent and a treasure trove of creativity and craftsmanship.

Colour and contrast, combined with an understanding of function, form and pattern, are central to Alistair’s work. This is expressed through his use of the Japanese metalworking technique of Mokume Gane (wood grain metal) which he has developed and practiced for over 35 years gaining an international reputation as a leading practitioner. His work is represented in many public collections.